G Coates

Elswick Rowing Club (VIC)

Mr Coates was a champion of his day winning the Grand Challenge Cup in Melbourne three times in succession. This race was the most prized event of the time. They also won the trophy outright having won the event three times in succession. This superb trophy depicts the city of Melbourne and rowing on the river in 1860. Apart from being one of the two oldest rowing trophies in Australia, it is without doubt one of the most beautiful and important trophies in Australia.

1860 - Melbourne Regatta Grand Challenge Cup, bow - First
1861 - Melbourne Regatta Grand Challenge Cup, two - First
1862 - Melbourne Regatta Grand Challenge Cup, two - First

Andrew Guerin 2015

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, errors may exist. Please send advice of any errors or inaccuracies by email to:

Also your comments, suggestions and photos are sought to enhance this site.

The idea for this history originated from the Olympic Rowing and World Senior Rowing Championship histories written by Andrew Guerin and Margot Foster in 1991, 1992 & 1993 for the Australian team handbooks. Andrew Guerin developed and extended these histories to the current format in 2004 for publication in 2004 and then expanded the site.

Steve Roll has been an invaluable contributor to the website in locating errors and finding Christian names of rowers. His superb work is acknowledged.

© Andrew Guerin – 2004
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Disclaimer: Whilst extensive efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied, the editors take no responsibility for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from inaccuracies contained in this work.